Die gesellschaftliche Integrationskraft der Arbeit

Technological progress challenges societies in a new manner. Innovative ways of communication and cooperation are opening up in the working world. Furthermore, completely new business models, working routines and regulation forms have emerged. Not only time-proven institutions in the working sphere are feeling the pressure, but the working population is becoming aware of a rapid change in work requirements and areas of employment. Following a temporary state of shock, it seems as if movement is under way in the configuration of digitalisation. But although numerous expert opinions specifically address how a digital economy may be regulated, there are only few political reactions. Consequently, the socially integrative power of work remains recklessly underestimated. The article is a plea for the adjustment of those tradition-rich institutions and sets of rules, resulting in technological progress which also becomes social innovation. At the same time it must be ensured that we do not lose sight of existing German social issues because if technologically-induced uncertainty is added to polarised participation chances and distinctive economic inequality, then the Social Security Code will be put under significant pressure.